March 25, 2021 – Hartford, WI – A neighbor in Hartford is posting a warning about a possible mountain lion sighting in the Gateway subdivision. Radiant Canines, based in Hartford, published a post on social media this week.
The last time a cougar was reported by the DNR was February 7, 2018 in Colgate, WI in Washington County. The Gateway subdivision is north of Hwy 60 and east of Kettle Moraine Road.
Calls have been placed to Hartford PD, Washington County Sheriff, and the DNR.
So far, none of the sources have confirmed reports of a sighting.
Hartford City Administrator Steve Volkert said, “Residents of the Hartford/Slinger area have reported on social media the sighting of a mountain lion – like animal in a subdivision along Kettle Moraine Drive on the east edge of the City/town. We have checked with Hartford dispatch and as of 9:15 p.m. Thursday, March 25, 2021 no report of a sighting has been called in. Police will be keeping a close eye out for anything that looks remotely close to what has been reported.”
Neighbors are encouraged to check their outdoor surveillance camera and RING doorbell cameras for possible footage.
In 2018 the DNR said, “Cougars move relatively quickly so I’d be surprised it was still in the area at this point in time. While more details about the cougar are not known,” said Dianne Robinson, DNR wildlife biologist.
“We’ve never confirmed a female moving through Wisconsin as far as we can tell, they’re young dispersing males from South Dakota.”
While the DNR has not confirmed other sightings, neighbors have chimed in with their own cougar stories. Click HERE for details.
This is a working story and more details will be posted when information becomes available.
